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    Conor McGregor was smart not to fight me… I would have destroyed him and he’s a QUITTER, says bitter sparring rival

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    PAULIE MALIGNAGGI has issued another stinging attack on bitter sparring rival Conor McGregor. The former boxing world champion entered McGregor’s training camp in 2017 before his crossover bout with Floyd Mayweather.
    Paulie Malignaggi infamously sparred Conor McGregorCredit: @TheNotoriousMMA

    They sparred twice in the UFC’s Las Vegas base, over eight and then 12 rounds.
    And it was the second of session that is remembered infamously, as images and footage of the spar leaked.
    It included a disputed knockdown of Malignaggi, which caused the American to storm out the camp.
    The two have continued to feud ever since and now Malignaggi has claimed McGregor was wise not to accept a grudge match with him.
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    He told Action Network: “I’m a better trash talker than McGregor, that’s one of the reasons he did not fight me. I would have trashed him in the press conferences and the fight.
    “It would have ended all of the hysteria around him because I would have destroyed him in the trash talking and in the ring.
    “I would have ruined the whole aura around him. He was smart not to pull the trigger on a fight with me.”
    Malignaggi, 43, always insisted he was pushed to the ground by McGregor, who went on to lose in ten rounds to Mayweather.
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    It has kept the feud alive but a boxing bout slipped away with McGregor remaining in the UFC octagon.
    Although Malignaggi said the 35-year-old is now a “punching bag” and compared his career to heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua.
    He said: “McGregor was lucky to achieve what he achieved in his career, physically and talent wise he’s up there, but just because you can do a bunch of high kicks from a Jean Claude Van Dam movie, doesn’t mean you’re a fighter; you need guts, you need a willingness to succeed, you need a willingness to enter the trenches and if you don’t have that, you’re going to fade.
    ‘We’ve talked about AJ losing that edge, but McGregor is on a different level. McGregor will quit on you, he does quit.
    “AJ does not take as many risks anymore but at least he’s not quitting. McGregor is an outright quitter.
    “He is a fighter that was not as good as advertised, there was great marketing behind him.
    “And the money he’s made now isn’t helping, so you’ve got a problem – all he’s going to do is continue to be a punching bag.
    “If you’re a punching bag in your twenties, you’ll definitely be a punching bag in your thirties.”
    Malignaggi claimed he was pushed down by McGregorCredit: @TheNotoriousMMA More

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      MMA fans in stitches as Jake Paul puts on gloves to watch fights before calling out Nate Diaz to rematch

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      JAKE PAUL had fans in stitches after putting on a pair of MMA gloves while watching and commentating on fights. The YouTuber-turned boxer featured in the live broadcast of the Professional Fighters League final.
      Jake Paul commentating on Larissa Pacheco’s win over Marina Mokhnatkina
      And he was being interviewed while reigning PFL champion Larissa Pacheco beat Marina Mokhnatkina for the featherweight title.
      But out of nowhere Paul – talking from his £13million Puerto Rico mansion – whacked on a pair of gloves to commentate on the bout.
      It left fans hilariously confused as one said: “Why the f*** is Jake Paul wearing his gloves on stream.”
      Another added: “Jake Paul putting on his PFL gloves whilst watching the fight has big shadow boxing in front of the mirror during the ad breaks energy.”
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      One said: “As much as I don’t like Jake Paul he is really smart for putting on the pfl gloves during his interview.”
      Paul this year signed with the PFL, a rival promotion to the UFC.
      The promotion consists of qualification and knockout stages.
      Stars have two regular season bouts where points are earned per method of victory with the top four in each division progressing.
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      From there it is win-or-go-home, culminating in a series of finale fights where a title belt and $1million prize cheque is on the line.
      But the PFL are next year launching a “super-fight” series – away from the season – which will play host to Paul’s MMA debut.
      The American is coming off an August win over ex-UFC star Nate Diaz, 38, and he offered to rematch in MMA.
      But Paul, 26, claims Diaz, 38, has turned down a £10million offer to fight in the cage and took another swipe at his rival.
      He said: “He didn’t want all that smoke. He’s making excuses.”
      Jake Paul wants to rematch Nate Diaz in MMACredit: Reuters More

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      Deontay Wilder in ‘ongoing’ talks with MMA superstar Francis Ngannou with never-before-seen fight teased

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      DEONTAY WILDER is in “ongoing” talks to fight Francis Ngannou – and the pair could collide in a never-seen-before set of rules. Ngannou walked out on the UFC to sign with rivals the Professional Fighters League, who gave him the green light to also pursue boxing.
      Deontay Wilder is in ‘ongoing’ talks to fight Francis NgannouCredit: Getty
      Ngannou held talks with Wilder before fighting Tyson FuryCredit: PA
      The Cameroonian was in negotiations to fight Wilder but he instead agreed a deal with Tyson Fury for a crossover clash in Saudi Arabia.
      Ngannou, 37, amazingly dropped Fury, 35, but was controversially beaten by split-decision on the scorecards.
      The ex-UFC champion now wants to wait for a rematch after Fury’s undisputed showdown with Oleksandr Usyk, 36, on February 17.
      So it paves the way for Ngannou to make a return to MMA in his next fight, also marking his debut in the PFL.
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      PFL CEO Peter Murray has named Wilder as a potential opponent and confirmed talks will continue with the American boxer.
      Murray said: “Absolutely, ongoing. I’m going to see Deontay next week and we want the four-ounce gloves on him with Francis in the cage.”
      Wilder has in the past called for a two-fight deal with Ngannou, to meet in the ring and cage.
      But Murray has teased that a mixed-rules bout could be agreed in a bid to level up the playing field, a hybrid never before seen.
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      He said: “We’re working through those details.
      “I mean it’s a fight that Francis wants, it’s a fight we believe Deontay wants and we’re focussed on putting it together.”
      Wilder, 38, first returns on December 23 in Saudi Arabia against New Zealander Joseph Parker, 31.
      Anthony Joshua, 34, is also in action that night against Otto Wallin, 32, in the hopes of building towards a blockbuster with Wilder next year.
      But Murray still believes Ngannou could face Wilder in his next bout despite the mega-money boxing moves.
      He said: “I think as relates to the next fight, yeah a Wilder is much more likely. That is our goal.”
      Anthony Joshua could fight Wilder next yearCredit: Reuters More

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      Jake Paul called out to two-fight MMA and boxing deal by Derek Brunson after leaving UFC for PFL

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      JAKE PAUL has been called out to a two-fight MMA and boxing deal by Derek Brunson. Paul is set to make his debut in the cage next year after signing with the Professional Fighters League, a rival to the UFC.
      Derek Brunson has left the UFC for the PFLCredit: @DerekBrunson
      Jake Paul is set to make his MMA debut with the PFL
      And Brunson also left the UFC after over a decade of service to sign with the PFL, which operates in a win-or-go-home seasonal format.
      When Paul announced his boxing return for December 15 Brunson was an early bookies’ favourite to be the opponent.
      Instead, little-known 10-1-1 pro boxer Andre August, 35, was confirmed as the YouTuber-turned boxer’s shock next fight.
      But Brunson is leaving the door open to settling the score with Paul now the pair are both under the PFL banner.
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      He told SunSport: “Jake Paul is now with the PFL, we’ve got a bit of history. 
      “He asked Dana to fight me a couple years ago, so that’s a possibility. People saw me going over to the PFL and thought the timetable was there and it was perfect. 
      “Like I say, in the past me and Jake had discussions for a boxing match but I was under contract with the UFC. But things may align now.” 
      Paul, 26, was beaten for the first time in February, losing a split-decision to Tommy Fury, 24, in Saudi Arabia.
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      But he bounced back in August with a ten-round points win over ex-UFC star Nate Diaz, 38.
      Paul proposed a double header with the return bout in MMA and offered Diaz over £10million to do so.
      And despite the deal being rejected, Brunson, 39, is ready for a similar two-bout deal.
      He said: “Yeah, I’d be open to that. I love challenging myself, so definitely I’d be up for that.” 
      Brunson makes his PFL debut on Friday in Washington DC against former PFL champion Ray Cooper, 30.
      It could set him up to enter the PFL’s season next year, where stars compete in a four-stage knockout format where $1m is up for grabs.
      Brunson said: “I wanted something new, something to excite me, something to make me want to train really hard.
      “I’d been in the UFC for so long and I felt it was the time to change and the PFL came about and now here we are. 
      “You’re not going to go out there and just lay down, that’s just silly but just being able to have a fresh start, new fighters, the $1million tournament, I can just start over.
      “I can control my own destiny and that was a really big thing for me.” 
      Derek Brunson, right, was in the UFC for over a decadeCredit: Getty More

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      Jake Paul reveals when he will make anticipated MMA debut and slams Nate Diaz for rejecting $10m rematch

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      JAKE PAUL is closing in on his anticipated MMA debut – but he slammed Nate Diaz for turning down a $10million rematch. The YouTuber-turned boxer this year signed for the Professional Fighters League, a competing promotion to the UFC.
      Jake Paul is set to debut in MMA with the PFLCredit: PFL
      Nate Diaz has been called out for a rematch in MMA by Jake PaulCredit: Getty
      Paul, 26, is coming off the back of a ten-round points win over ex-UFC star Nate Diaz, 38, in August.
      And both the American and the PFL have proposed a rematch in the cage.
      But Diaz has so far seemed uninterested and instead wants a return in the boxing ring – claiming a deal was even agreed.
      Paul has spoken out to deny this and insisted the rematch must take place in MMA – where he is set to debut in late 2024.
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      He told MMA Junkie: “I don’t know, I think they’re just begging. Pretty desperate, I guess.
      “Wanting to make money but not actually wanting to make things happen.
      “We’re ready, MMA, end of 2024, $10million (£8m), which is more than he’s ever made for an MMA fight – ever.
      “He’s sitting there asking for more money basically drunk tweeting random s*** and random fight posters, making himself look like a fool.
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      “I just can’t comprehend what they’re trying to do or what they’re saying, but this is the fight game.
      “Everyone says they want to do things, everyone calls people out, everyone blah, blah, blah, but no one actually makes s*** happen.
      “And that’s what I’ve looked to change in this sport and to just provide transparency to my audience about what’s actually going on with these negotiations and not being afraid to fight anyone anywhere, anytime, any place.”
      Paul returns on Friday, December 15 against 10-1-1 pro boxer Andre August, 35, but his PFL debut remains in the pipeline.
      He said: “Yeah, 100 per cent.
      “I’m going to start throwing knees and kicks and getting back to my Ohio Wrestling roots, shooting takedowns.
      “I truly believe that he knows it would be a really tough fight for him, and I think that’s the thing for him where he’s like, ‘Damn, do I risk my whole MMA reputation by giving this kid a chance here?’”
      Jake Paul beat Nate Diaz over ten roundsCredit: Reuters More

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      I was Conor McGregor’s first coach, I knew he was going to be special at 12 and I see the same in his six-year-old son

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      CONOR McGREGOR was just a schoolboy when he first went into Phil Sutcliffe’s Crumlin amateur boxing club. Two decades later, Sutcliffe is still in the UFC legend’s corner as one of his coaches.
      Conor McGregor Jr training with his dad
      Phil Sutcliffe with McGregor
      The Irish trainer is a double Olympian who has worked with a host of amateur champions.
      But his gym in Dublin is synonymous for welcoming McGregor into the world of combat.
      At the time, the future MMA icon was playing for a local football team when he stumbled into Crumlin BC.
      And after being told to take his muddy boots off and have his parents fill out a membership, McGregor’s fighting journey began.
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      In his later years, McGregor trained away from the boxing gym as he became entrenched in learning mixed martial arts.
      But Sutcliffe says the superstar was as talented as any other boxing champion he had – which was clear even from the age of 12.
      He said: “In pure boxing ability he was as equal to them but he didn’t put in enough for the one talent. 
      “It’s like if you wanted to play rugby but you play on the soccer pitch. It’s hard to master the two. 
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      “If you want to play rugby you need to be tough, you want to be fast but in soccer you want to be skillful you want to be avoiding. 
      “It’s the same in the boxing. If you want to box, you stay boxing. But Conor mastered the ability of reading. Reading the shot that comes at you.
      “He always mastered that from an early age of 12 he was able to avoid, he was able to move comfortably.” 
      McGregor left Crumlin and Sutcliffe to pursue MMA with his sights set on the UFC.
      In the years following, he became the sport’s biggest and most well-paid star.
      His fame and fortune skyrocketed in 2017 when he returned to his boxing roots for a crossover clash with Floyd Mayweather.
      He lost in ten rounds but the defeat sparked a reunion with Sutcliffe – who became a part of McGregor’s MMA camp.
      And it also changed the veteran trainer’s mind about the often brutal sport of MMA.
      Phil Sutcliffe with McGregor
      Conor Jr training at Sutcliffe’s gym with dad Conor
      Conor Jr is already learning the ropes
      Conor McGregor pictured as a child before growing up to become the face of UFC
      Sutcliffe said: “I was never fond of mixed martial arts, I thought it was barbaric until I got involved and saw the amount of work these boys have to put into it.
      “I saw it and thought this is interesting.”
      Sutcliffe’s influence has rubbed off on McGregor, who is already teaching his six-year-old son techniques.
      And Sutcliffe admits he cannot help but see himself when McGregor gives Conor Jr a masterclass in boxing.
      He said: “Every time he’s on the pads with his son, I see me. 
      “Every time he’s teaching him I see me, every word out his mouth – except the f’ing and all that type of stuff – I see me. 
      “He’s learned a lot and I’m so glad he’s learned a lot from the person that taught him so much.”
      Conor Jr strikes a remarkable resemblance to his famous fighting father and Sutcliffe is already blown away by the youngster’s skills.
      He revealed: “He’s an athlete. I saw when he was wrestling with Cian Cowley’s son. They’re all friends. 
      “Little Conor is an athlete and his little girl is not bad either! Conor Jr is a natural, you see on the sticks and on the pads but there’s more to that, he’s making his son hard for life. 
      “He’s an athlete, no matter what he does. He’s got flexibility, he’s strong, he has no fear.”
      McGregor, 35, is currently working towards a comeback having been out since July 2021 when he broke his leg.
      He is expected to face American Michael Chandler, 37, in his return which UFC president Dana White has hinted will be in the summer.
      McGregor is back training again and Sutcliffe insisted he is still as hungry and driven as ever.
      He said: “If you see him spar or you see him fight, you see the devil in him and that’s what I love. He still wants it. 
      “He hates losing and I love that, he wants to win because he’s a winner no matter what he does.
      “He has a few years left, get few more fights get this Chandler out the way. He’s more talented than Chandler.
      “Chandler will be a rough person to beat but he’s so talented, skill base and everything, wrestling, his pouches, jujitsu, his kickboxing, he’s special.”
      McGregor is set to fight Michael Chandler in his UFC return More

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      Francis Ngannou surges to top 10 WBC heavyweight rankings after first pro fight against Tyson Fury

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      FRANCIS NGANNOU has surged to tenth in the WBC world rankings following his exhibition bout with Tyson Fury.The Cameroonian almost provided the biggest shock in boxing history when he floored Fury in the third round of their ten round bout.
      Ngannou has surged to 10th in the WBC heavyweight rankingsCredit: AFP
      Ngannou very nearly shocked the world in his bout with FuryCredit: Reuters
      While Fury won the fight via split decision back in October, many felt Ngannou had the better of the WBC world champion.
      His entry into the WBC rankings means Fury’s belt would be on the line if the two were to rematch.
      Ngannou, 37, was a legendary figure in UFC and held the heavyweight belt until January this year.
      He was stripped of the title following a pay dispute with UFC head honcho Dana White, however.
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      That left the MMA star dispirited, given the UFC is the premium competition for MMA fighters.
      Ngannou’s incredible performance against Fury – as well as his official ranking in the WBC – has left the door open for the fighter to now pursue a career in boxing.
      Any rematch with Fury will have to wait, however, as the WBC champion is set to fight Oleksandr Usyk for the title of undisputed heavyweight champion.
      Fury is set to fight Usyk in February, although the bout has already been subject to repeated delay.
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      On the subject of a rematch, Ngannou told TMZ: “I would be willing to wait [for Fury to fight Usyk].
      “I know that they are going to fight, they had a contract already, so they are going to fight sometime in February instead of December 23, which is my fault
      “I shouldn’t have cut him. He would’ve fought December 23, and maybe we would’ve run it back early next year.” More

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      Francis Ngannou reveals he earned more money from Tyson Fury fight than from entire MMA career beforehand

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      FRANCIS NGANNOU revealed he made more in one night boxing against Tyson Fury than he did his entire MMA career. Ngannou walked out on the UFC as their heavyweight champion after 20 fights and 17 wins.
      Francis Ngannou made more in one night against Tyson Fury than he did his entire MMA careerCredit: AFP
      He left the promotion to pursue a lucrative boxing switch and agreed a deal to fight unbeaten star Fury in Saudi Arabia.
      Ngannou even dropped the Gypsy King and was deemed unfortunate to walk away a split-decision loser.
      But despite failing to get the win in the ring, the Cameroonian certainly got the result he wanted in his bank account.
      Ngannou said on The Last Stand podcast: “First off all, whatever would have been my next fight, from the moment that I left the UFC, was going to be way different from what I made.
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      “Because in the past three years in the UFC, I was in a contract issue that I didn’t want to sign a new contract that would have given me more money, but not enough, right?
      “Also the conditions and the terms which would have prevented me from doing boxing, which was one of my ultimate dreams that I wanted to do.
      “So it would have been different, even from my next MMA fight, completely different.
      “It’s at least more than everything that I have earned in my life, in my career.”
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      Fury’s controversial win over Ngannou saw his proposed December 23 title unification against Oleksandr Usyk, 36, postponed till February.
      The British legend is believed to have banked up to £65m for the crossover clash while Ngannou, 37, took home around £8m.
      He is now happy to wait till after the fight to rematch Fury, 35, as he wants to challenge the best boxing has to offer.
      He said: “I prefer to fight the top fighters. Why did I feel Tyson Fury? Because he was the top of the game. I want the best.
      “I want the big fights. I want a big show. I want everything big. But, at the end of the day, it’s a sport and we do what we have to do.”
      Ngannou knocked Fury down during the fightCredit: Getty More

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      Conor McGregor uses me for clout and gets me more OnlyFans subscriptions – I love it, says Ebanie Bridges

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      EBANIE BRIDGES said Conor McGregor is using her for clout… and she loves it. The IBF bantamweight world champion is sponsored by McGregor’s Forged Irish Stout.
      Conor McGregor is sponsoring Ebanie BridgesCredit: Instagram @ebaniebridges
      Bridges said she does not mind McGregor using her for ‘clout’Credit: Instagram @ebaniebridges
      Bridges also runs an OnlyFans accountCredit: Instagram @ebanie_bridges
      Scroll down for more amazing pictures of Ebanie Bridges
      And the pair have also struck up a friendship with both reaping the rewards of the partnership.
      Bridges told Best Gambling Sites: “He uses me for clout really. He’s sponsoring me to get his brand out. That’s what sponsors do.
      “We met at the AJ fight and I wore his brand there, because he’s using me to get his brand out. Otherwise he’d be wearing a stout shirt.
      “But we work together because he knows – me and him – will get people talking about his brand.
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      “It’s not that I need him, but we both help each other out, we are both an asset to each other’s brands, we both help build each other, it’s not one-sided.
      “They reached out to me, it wasn’t me chasing them.”
      Outside the ring, Bridges, 37, is a huge hit online and on her OnlyFans account having made a name for herself with racy weigh in outfits.
      And linking up with McGregor, 35, has only boosted her popularity and bank account.
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      Avril Mathie fights Ebanie Bridges nextCredit: Getty
      She said: “Obviously being attached to one of the biggest sports people in the world, one of the most recognisable names in the world, being attached to that is obviously going to grow my exposure, it’s going get me more fans, it’s going to get me more subscriptions to my OnlyFans.
      “More followers on my Instagram and in the end more money. And in turn, we will both grow from it. It’s a positive in many ways. But I get more hate as well.”
      Bridges’ next fight is against Avril Mathie which she dubbed the “battle of the boobs” in a bid to masterfully promote the bout.
      She said: “I called it the battle of boobs because it will sell. It’s all about selling. Eyes on the sport. Eyes on me.
      “If I call it the ‘Battle of the Boobs’ people are going to check it out. It’s changing the look of boxing and showing different looks.
      “It’s showing you can be a model and be feminine and still box. You don’t need to be masculine if you want to box.
      “It’s about showing little girls they don’t have to be hairdressers and models, they can do what boys do.”
      Inside Bridges’ glamorous life as a boxing champion and OnlyFans star…
      Bridges is the IBF bantamweight championCredit: Instagram @ebanie_bridges
      The Aussie is known for her racy weigh in outfitsCredit: PA
      Bridges posing with her belt in lingerieCredit: Alamy
      Bridges has a legion of fans on social mediaCredit: @ebanie_bridges
      This was Bridges’ way of announcing her OnlyFans deal – by writing on her bodyCredit: Alamy
      Bridges always sets pulses racing on the stageCredit: Getty
      Bridges admits to also having ‘haters’ but claims to have made a ton of money from her online venturesCredit: Instagram @ebanie_bridges More